COMPANY WOMEN CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY

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Gemma Quinn / 2008-03-09 19:53:05

Shoes, Wonderbras and Fat - Essential For Every Business

What does a trained actor and experience director; a former banker; a water cooler company owner and a language teacher all have in common? All are marvellous women and all have achieved marvellous things away from home and this was the theme for the Company Women Conference and Luncheon; "What Marvellous Women Do Away From Home."

Held on Thursday 6th March at the Salones Bahia Costa, it is the first conference and luncheon Company Women has held in recognition of International Women's Day which was celebrated on Saturday and, with around 80 women in attendance, it has been deemed a great success with a range of guest speakers on hand sharing their experiences.

THE TRAINED ACTOR

Never before have women been so proficient in taking the role in leading business in new ways and directions, and never before has business been likened to shoes, wonderbras and fat! But that is exactly how first guest speaker Terri Wiltshire described it. The American former broadcast journalist is a trained actor and experienced director with a whole host of other skills and credits to her CV and now lives in Newport, South Wales where she runs her corporate role-play business; Terri Wiltshire and Associates. She inspired others to success by lovingly referring to three simple things; firstly shoes. "It's all about confidence. I always put on my Jimmy Choos when I have something to deal with and everyone should find their talisman, something to help you."

Wonderbra: What does a wonderbra do? It makes you look bigger than you actually are and the same can work for business, "enhance your business and make it appear bigger than you are, it's not about creating an illusion of what you are not, but concentrating on what you are."

Fat: and in the section Terri lovingly referred to as "does my invoice look big in this?" Terri advises all women to surround themselves with bright, intelligent women who will tell them the truth, help and advise them.

THE FORMER BANKER

After a successful career in banking for 7 years, Kerrie Keeling, ditched the power suits and killer heals for overalls and working boots as she set up her own business A Woman's Touch Limited.

In a tirade of criticism again "Dave" the tiler, Kerrie told how her simple frustration of these tradesmen and their seeming lack of professionalism and common courtesy, led to her "Eureka" moment in setting up a business dedicated to women tradesmen, where they turn up when they say they will, phone if going to be late, do not leave the loo seat up and tidy up after themselves.

Following its launch in 2003, A Woman's Touch, initially a decorating company, has expanded in to tiling, carpentry, plumbing, plastering and electrical and building work and now has offices in London, Brighton and on the Costa del Sol, earning Kerrie the coveted titles of Natwest Business Woman of the Year 2006 and BT Female Entrepreneur of the Year 2007. She can even boast as having Gordon Ramsey as one of her clients of which she says, "The only F-word he used was "Fantastic!"

THE WATER COOLER COMPANY OWNER

Lorraine Pearce's company started with four water coolers, a small van and a dozen bottles of water, but she went on to become Bedfordshire Business Woman of the Year 2001 before selling her company for profit and moving to Spain where she now helps other businesses to succeed with Touchstone Solutions.

Due to her husband's illness, Lorraine was unable to attend at the last minute, but showing just why women are "marvellous" she recorded her speech to ensure she did not let anyone down, saying simply "What do marvellous do when away from home? Make marvellous friends."

THE LANGUAGE TEACHER

Jane Cronin, founder of Cronin Language Services and Company Woman of the Year 2007, closed the speeches with her usual wit and comedic parodies speaking of why she loves Company Women.

Amongst the food and drink and networking and chatter, it was clear to see that the speakers had both entertained and inspired the gathered audience and that is greatly down to the effort and dedication of founder member and president of Company Women, Caroline Garrett, who organised the event which was sponsored by Pocket Pages. She said it came about following the success of last years awards and says it has been a great day that every woman will get something different from. "The speakers were great and they made all this effort and they came here and shared their information and knowledge with our Company Women members and I think most of them found that truly inspirational."

Speaking on the chosen them for the conference Caroline said it is a fitting title. "The women I meet through Company Women continually impress me. Many arrive here on the Costa Blanca and re-invent themselves, some re-train themselves and many re-evaluate their priorities in life. Above all, they get on and do it and they do it rather well!"

Tags: Company Women